project 52: week 29

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I went to the opening party for the new sci-fi exhibit at EMP and while I was there...
:: heard George Takei's opening remarks
:: watched George Takei walk by, not 5 feet from me! (ok, nerd alert)
:: posed in front of the Back to the Future Delorean time machine
:: explored the Infinite Worlds exhibit

Currently Reading

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (impulse Powell's purchase - great story so far!)

On the Needles
Still plugging along on my geology shawl, although I haven't picked it up hardly at all this week. Instead, I worked on patching Joe's shop pants.

Looking Forward To

1. Spring Break (just two weeks away!)

project 52: week 28

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I spent three days in Portland for a tech conference. I learned so many things that I'm very excited to try out in my classroom. I also shopped at Powell's for the first time, ate at the Deschutes Brewery, bought Voodoo Donuts, explored Mississippi Avenue, rode the Max, and just generally enjoyed the spring-like weather.

Currently Reading
I finished The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo this week. I'm motivated to go through her suggested steps to pare down my possessions. I've always been a bit of a hoarder, but I've found a sense of relief every time I drop off donations at Goodwill. I started slowly working on eliminating excess stuff last year, but I think it's time to ramp it up. Spring break will likely turn into 'sort and donate all the stuff' week. I'm ready.

On the Needles
I finished the fourth section of my geology shawl while at the Portland tech conference. I didn't have nearly as much time available for knitting as I thought, which actually means that the conference was very engaging. Not a bad problem to have.

Looking Forward To

1. baking sourdough bread
2. knitting at the coffee shop

project 52: week 27

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

So, this happened the other day. I have not been taking pictures at all lately. Gotta fix that.

What's New?
I've been working on my school blog lately. It's nowhere near finished, but I'm starting to see the fruits of my labor, and I think it'll be really great for the next school year. I've been working on making separate pages for each unit with helpful links and resources. I'll also have a calendar page where I can update assignments and due dates. I can easily update it daily (ha! maybe twice weekly - let's be real) with what's happening in the classroom. I've tried to use the district-provided online space, but it's just not intuitive for me, and many parents have expressed similar feelings. I have a good feel for blogger and think that it'll be the best solution for me.

Currently Reading
Last night I finished The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence and cried. Such a sad story! But very well-written and definitely worth the read.

On the Needles
My geology shawl is coming along nicely. I'm on the 4th section, which is very geometric and therefor easy to knit while doing other things, like watching tv. The 3rd section was lace, and I'm not great and memorizing or reading lace patterns. I think I'll be able to finish it in a week or two.

Looking Forward To

1. visiting Portland

project 52: week 26

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
Spring is here! Not officially, but practically. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising, and the local mountains are bereft of snow. Last week I enjoyed a very different kind of walk with my friend Kristi. Usually we follow a predictable path but last week we decided to do something different. We walked around her neighborhood instead of mine, stopping at open houses to check out the local real estate market. Since this is Seattle, pretty much all walking routes involve hills, so I feel that we got an equal workout while enjoying different scenery.

Currently Reading

• The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
• The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence
• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

On the Needles
I picked up my Geology Shawl again, after many months of neglect. I worried that I wouldn't be able to figure out where I left off, but thankfully my notes were clear enough that it wasn't a problem. I'm trying to finish up some works in progress to clear out my queue and reclaim that energizing feeling of accomplishment - sort of a spring cleaning for knitting projects.

Looking Forward To

1. indoor rock climbing